Willy Astor - Sound Of Islands

"The Sound of Islands" was the name Astor gave in 1994 to the first album of his purely instrumental project. Six successful albums and two DVDs have followed, with Willy Astor and his musicians taking listeners through a wide range of styles - from tango to bossa nova, from African moods to flamenco, from blues through Bavarian folk music to jazz. The last major release, "The Sound of Islands - Symphonic" (2015, CD + DVD), recorded with the Munich Radio Orchestra, fused guitar sound, band, and orchestral textures. The new album "Guitar" takes a different direction, showcasing the intimate sound of a quartet and a faceted virtuosity in a smaller setting.

The album opener "Siracusa" draws the listener into a world of imagination, with the pure tone of the guitar and an effortlessly flowing melody paying tribute to the greatest and most powerful city of ancient Sicily. "Kalipe" (Tibetan for 'always with a calm step') radiates both stillness and energy, offering an acoustic counterpoint to our hyperactive, multitasking world. With "Blackbird", one of the most beloved Beatles classics, Astor bows to the band through a deeply felt interpretation.

The cheerful "Ubuntu" mirrors the African philosophy of the same name. One of the most prominent advocates of this philosophy of shared humanity was former South African president Nelson Mandela. Further multi-stringed sound paintings shift between jazzy, Brazilian, and floating, atmospheric textures. Astor captivates not only through his playing but also through his collection of exceptional guitars, gathered with great passion - including a fine 1930s Martin model once owned by US country artist Gillian Welch.

With "Nautilus", Astor's most successful piece, which first appeared on Vol. 1 in 1994...